Government campaign “Action, not only words” challenges actors to adopt practical measures against racism

The campaign against racism, carried out as part of the Government’s statement on promoting equality, gender equality and non-discrimination, invites all communities, companies, associations and organisations to build an equitable Finland free of racism through concrete measures.

The campaign launched by the Government focuses on eradicating structural racism. The campaign challenges companies, communities and other actors to take practical measures in their respective organisations.

“We must build a Finland that is safe and equal for everyone. We, the political decision-makers, cannot achieve this alone, the society as a whole needs to be involved. This will be a long-term effort; Finland will not transform overnight. Every single concrete act to increase equality is valuable,” says Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

The “Action, not only words” campaign acknowledges that eradicating racism is everyone’s business. There is racism in Finland, and it must and can be rooted out.  

“Our goal is to create a more equal society, in which every person, regardless of their background, is an equal member of Finnish society and feels respected, heard, seen and appreciated. Achieving the goal calls for active and extensive participation,” says Chief Specialist Katriina Nousiainen, Project Manager of the Government’s Equality Project, in the Prime Minister’s Office.  

In its campaign commitment, the Government commits to take more action to combat racism and to promote equality in both internal and external activities of the Government. The purpose of the measures is to make sure that the activities of the Government take the diversity of the population into consideration. 

“The areas we have chosen to enhance are internal discussions and training to increase awareness; improving the knowledge base; greater equality in communication and in accessibility; more extensive application of anonymous recruiting in the ministries; as well as dialogue that promotes the inclusion of different population groups,” says Katriina Nousiainen. 

A shared umbrella commitment at the core of the campaign 

It is possible to view and join the campaign’s umbrella commitment through the Sitoumus2050.fi online service on sustainable development. The Sitoumus2050.fi online service is the home of sustainable development commitments. The campaign against racism and its umbrella commitment also support the global goals of reducing inequality and promoting peace, justice and good governance as well as cooperation and partnership. 

The campaign’s umbrella commitment proposes concrete measures that each participating actor can incorporate into their own commitment. The proposed measures involve ways to develop organisational culture, to increase awareness of racism and combat racism, as well as advocate equality, gender equality and non-discrimination in the operations of organisations, among other things. The participating organisations are encouraged to formulate their goals and concrete measures from their respective starting points. 

The actors pledging to join the campaign include HSL Helsinki Region Transport and the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK). 

One of the focus areas of HSL’s Responsibility Program is “Public transport is for everyone”. This will also be the underlying theme of HSL’s commitments.
 
“We want to provide a safe and harassment-free space for both public transport passengers and our staff”, says HSL’s Interim Executive Director Vesa Silfver.

To begin with, HSL pledges to campaign for the eradication of racism and harassment from public transport. The campaign is scheduled for next year. Other commitments are being prepared.

The “Action, not only words” campaign will run until the end of the government term, but even after that, actors can publish, update and report their own measures on the Sitoumus2050.fi platform. 
 
Inquiries: Katriina Nousiainen, Chief Specialist, Prime Minister’s Office, tel. +358 295 160 735, [email protected] and Risto Alatarvas, Senior Specialist, Prime Minister’s Office, tel. +358 295 160024, [email protected] 

Campaign website: www.toimirasismiavastaan.fi The website includes an up-to-date list of the participating organisations, instructions on how to participate, and materials for the actors who join the campaign. 

Motiva Ltd, a sustainable development company wholly owned by the state, will partner with the Prime Minister’s Office in campaign coordination and communication until the end of May 2025. Motiva’s campaign team can be reached by email at [email protected]. 

In September, the campaign will also be featured in the Y event, which is open to all. The event aims to increase the awareness of equality, gender equality, non-discrimination, diversity and combating racism by means of dialogue and culture. The event will be held at Dance House Helsinki on 21 September 2024. The event is organised by the Ministry of Justice jointly with the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Education and Culture.   

For more information about the project executing the Government’s statement on promoting equality, gender equality and non-discrimination, please see the Government website at https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/promoting-equality